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That's what I've heard from friends in the area. The downtown is dead and full of Scientologists, so people don't go there much anymore, so shops close and they buy them. Rinse and repeat.

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Near-Clearwater here. There's absolutely no reason to go there at night unless you're Sea Org (easily identifiable by the vests they wear that make them look like hotel staff). There's no nightlife aside from one restaurant at the south end. If you make too much noise (ie screaming "You're in a cult! You can leave and get help!"), a white van will be dispatched and follow you for several miles. Some of the buildings are vacant, some contain Narconon-style substance counseling groups that 'help' you by introducing you to Dianetics. All in all, kind of otherworldly, but mostly boring.

Also, one hundred percent chance they're reading this.

> so shops close and they buy them. Rinse and repeat.

So do they reopen then as shops again or as repurposed housing? I suppose the nightlife is pretty dull too?

Not usually. They might turn them into offices, but they also have been known to just sit on real estate.

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